APAC’s Glioblastoma Multiforme treatment market to double by 2020

The Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) therapeutics market in Asia-Pacific (APAC) will more than double in value, from $49.4 million in 2013 to $105.8 mn by 2020, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.5%, says a new report from GBI Research.

The company's latest report states that this impressive growth will result from the anticipated approval, and market entries of Rindopepimut, Cotara, and Avastin in some APAC countries during the forecast period.

Ms Vijaya Vulapalli, senior analyst, GBI Research, said, "The APAC region boasts a strong GBM pipeline, which also includes carmustine implants, currently being developed in China. Novel therapies Rindopepimut and Cotara in particular could have a significant bearing on APAC's GBM treatment landscape.

"Phase II clinical studies of Rindopepimut demonstrated a relatively high median Overall Survival (OS) rate among patients. Meanwhile, Cotara's Phase II studies showed similar OS to Avastin, with slightly more progression-free survival improvement in recurrent GBM. As a single-infusion therapy, Cotara is likely to become an effective second-line treatment option for patients."

However, GBI Research states that even if these therapies prove successful in late-stage clinical trials, they will experience low uptake in their respective markets due to their high prices and lack of patient access to medicines, mainly in China and India.

Furthermore, APAC's GBM treatment space is still expected to require new drugs with better efficacy and improved prognosis.